I think Cambodia is a lovely country and the Cambodians are enchanting. They are energetic, enthusiastic, gentle, proud, good natured and talented. The country has colossal economic potential given half a chance.
Cambodia's geographic location has meant that in the past it's endured rough treatment from overbearing neighbours. Then there was French colonialism followed by American overspill from Vietnam and the cruellest of civil wars. Their ability to leave the past behind and look forward to the future is inspiring.

Sisophon is a bustling local capital of Banteay Meanchey, a province of almost 100 thousand people close to the Thai border.



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The Cambodians are proud of their history and culture, and with good reason. There is music and art everywhere. Samuth took me to the temples of Angkor and was a very well informed guide. Hundreds of temples range over a colossal area and are absolutely one of the wonders of the world. Angkor Wat is a gigantic achievement on a par with the Pyramids and Petra in my opinion.




I went to Phnom Penh for a few days and the resilience and optimism of the people is apparent everywhere. Great progress has been made in recent years with improvements in roads and public utilities. I must say it’s my favourite city (currently), full of people and energy.  Families come out in the evenings and promenade the parks and the banks of the Mekong river enjoying street entertainers, breakdancing kids, great street food, football and each other’s company.
After the horrors of the seventies there is the euphoric air of a people who have survived. It is sobering to think that only just over thirty years ago it was one of the most dysfunctional countrys on earth  turning in upon itself resulting in millions tortured, murdered and starving. The attitude to the past is not one of self pity or victimisation. Their Buddhist temperament means they tend to look forward, not backwards. They are certainly not in denial because they will openly talk about the Khmer Rouge and what happened to their families. Alarmingly there seem to be very few people over the age of 50 which made me feel like Methuselah. The median population age is very young, about 22 compared with 40 in UK, probably because they experienced a huge post-civil-war baby boom and so many older people had perished. I was told the reason why there are so few birds is because many were eaten during the famine!

Jan's friends have sent out modest amounts of money which Jan is brilliant at deploying for maximum effect at ground level. There are always deserving projects if more money were available. She keeps us informed about how it is spent and sends photos. The amazing thing is just how much difference a small amount can make when it is handled in this direct way.